What is a “Walking” Washer?

A walking washer is a term for washing machines that have begun to shake during cycles.

The phenomenon is hallmarked by fierce rattling during loads, which is often accompanied by loud “bangs” as wet clothes slam against the inside of the machine.

The primary issues associated with shaking machines include:

Minor safety hazards

Extended wash cycles

Increased energy usage

Premature machine wear

Causes for Walking Washers

It can be hard to determine the cause of a rattling washing machine without the help of an experienced professional. Although washing machine repairs seem simple, a DIY repair could cause further damage to your machine or lead to physical danger like electrocution.

If you’re local to the Front Range, we recommend working with a professional washing machine repairman in Colorado Springs (like Pikes Peak Mechanical) to pinpoint the issue.

If you choose to troubleshoot the problem yourself, start with the most common causes:

Heavy, Imbalanced Loads:

The number 1 cause of shaking washers is imbalanced loads. If only one side of a washing machine is filled with clothes, the uneven weight distribution can cause the machine to wobble violently.

Unlevel Internal Settings:

During a move or DIY repair, the wash drum can slip out of position. Test the internal settings by placing a basic level on top of the washer. If the tool shows that the top section of the machine is out of balance, it’s safe to also assume that the internal drum has also moved from its original position.

Unlevel Ground or Feet:

When it is placed on uneven ground, a washing machine’s “feet” shift into awkward positions. Using a level, determine which side of the washer has shifted higher or lower than the other. To do this, tilt the machine back to expose the front “let” and locking nut. Adjust the leg slightly, then place the washer down and reanalyze the level. Note: this test requires the help of an extra person and should not be tried alone.

As one of the most heavily used appliances in your home, a washing machine is a key part of a household’s daily life. Waiting to fix a walking washer can make laundry more time-consuming and increase your monthly water usage. If the problem isn’t corrected, it can lead to future damage to your machine over the years.

Remember: While this issue can be repaired by an experienced handyman, it’s best to request the help of a professional appliance repair service. If you’re located in Southern Colorado, contact our washing machine repairman in Colorado Springs to get your appliance fixed safely and quickly.

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I had 2 very helpful phone conversations near the holidays with the owner Paul of Reliable Appliances regarding my poorly functioning clothes dryer. He helped me troubleshoot the problem for about 15 minutes each phone call which I appreciated. He was polite, friendly, and respectful of all my questions. I would not hesitate to take any future appliance repairs to him straightaway. He and his staff have good customer service skills and reasonable rates.

The technician, Ed, came out in the snow-pocalypse of February 2016 (haha), looked at our dryer and within minutes knew what was wrong. He came back a few days later and fixed our dryer within 30 minutes. We love giving supporting local businesses and this local business has our business for life!

Knowledgable AND affordable - tough combination to find anywhere now a days. He was able to fix my problem in a few minutes and only charged me for the time spent. Can't complain one bit about anything. A

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We aim to be the best appliance repair company in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. We are a locally owned and family managed business. Established in 1999, the mission of Reliable Appliance is to use our appliance repair skills to help Colorado Springs, CO residents minimize the stress of broken appliances. We work 24/7, so you're never left without help during an emergency.

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